Hybrid maize plant and seed (33R87)

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, there is provided a hybrid maize plant, designated as 33R87, produced by crossing two Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize lines. This invention relates to the hybrid seed 33R87, the hybrid plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and trivial modifications of hybrid 33R87.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of maize breeding, specifically relatingto a hybrid maize line designated 33R87.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Plant Breeding

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of theplant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen fromone flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower ona different plant.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between twodifferent homozygous lines produces a uniform population of hybridplants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of twoplants each heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce apopulation of hybrid plants that differ genetically and will not beuniform.

Maize (Zea mays L. ), often referred to as corn in the United States,can be bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques.Maize has separate male and female flowers on the same plant, located onthe tassel and the ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs inmaize when wind blows pollen from the tassels to the silks that protrudefrom the tops of the ears.

The development of a hybrid maize variety involves three steps: (1) theselection of plants from various germplasm pools for initial breedingcrosses; (2) the selfing of the selected plants from the breedingcrosses for several generations to produce a series of inbred lines,which, although different from each other, breed true and are highlyuniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines with unrelatedinbred lines to produce the hybrid progeny (F₁). During the inbreedingprocess in maize, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor is restoredwhen two different inbred lines are crossed to produce the hybridprogeny (F₁). An important consequence of the homozygosity andhomogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid created by crossing adefined pair of inbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds thatcreate a superior hybrid have been identified, a continual supply of thehybrid seed can be produced using these inbred parents and the hybridcorn plants can then be generated from this hybrid seed supply.

Large scale commercial maize hybrid production, as it is practicedtoday, requires the use of some form of male sterility system whichcontrols or inactivates male fertility. A reliable method of controllingmale fertility in plants also offers the opportunity for improved plantbreeding. This is especially true for development of maize hybrids,which relies upon some sort of male sterility system. There are severaloptions for controlling male fertility available to breeders, such as:manual or mechanical emasculation (or detasseling), cytoplasmic malesterility, genetic male sterility, gametocides and the like.

Hybrid maize seed is typically produced by a male sterility systemincorporating manual or mechanical detasseling. Alternate strips of twoinbred varieties of maize are planted in a field, and the pollen-bearingtassels are removed from one of the inbreds (female) prior to pollenshed. Providing that there is sufficient isolation from sources offoreign maize pollen, the ears of the detasseled inbred will befertilized only from the other inbred (male), and the resulting seed istherefore hybrid and will form hybrid plants.

The laborious, and occasionally unreliable, detasseling process can beavoided by using cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plants of a CMSinbred are male sterile as a result of factors resulting from thecytoplasmic, as opposed to the nuclear, genome. Thus, thischaracteristic is inherited exclusively through the female parent inmaize plants, since only the female provides cytoplasm to the fertilizedseed. CMS plants are fertilized with pollen from another inbred that isnot male-sterile. Pollen from the second inbred may or may notcontribute genes that make the hybrid plants male-fertile. Usually seedfrom detasseled fertile maize and CMS produced seed of the same hybridare blended to insure that adequate pollen loads are available forfertilization when the hybrid plants are grown.

There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterilityavailable, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations withinthe genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar et al. and chromosomal translocations asdescribed by Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. Theseand all patents referred to are incorporated by reference. In additionto these methods, Albertsen et al., of Pioneer Hi-Bred, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 07,848,433, have developed a system of nuclear malesterility which includes: identifying a gene which is critical to malefertility; silencing this native gene which is critical to malefertility; removing the native promoter from the essential malefertility gene and replacing it with an inducible promoter; insertingthis genetically engineered gene back into the plant; and thus creatinga plant that is male sterile because the inducible promoter is not "on"resulting in the male fertility gene not being transcribed. Fertility isrestored by inducing, or turning "on", the promoter, which in turnallows the gene that confers male fertility to be transcribed.

There are many other methods of conferring genetic male sterility in theart, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. These methods use avariety of approaches such as delivering into the plant a gene encodinga cytotoxic substance associated with a male tissue specific promoter oran antisense system in which a gene critical to fertility is identifiedand an antisense to that gene is inserted in the plant (see:Fabinjanski, et al. EPO 89/3010153.8 publication no. 329,308 and PCTapplication PCT/CA90/00037 published as WO 90/08828).

Another system useful in controlling male sterility makes use ofgametocides. Gametocides are not a genetic system, but rather a topicalapplication of chemicals. These chemicals affect cells that are criticalto male fertility. The application of these chemicals affects fertilityin the plants only for the growing season in which the gametocide isapplied (see Carlson, Glenn R., U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,904). Application ofthe gametocide, timing of the application and genotype specificity oftenlimit the usefulness of the approach.

The use of male sterile inbreds is but one factor in the production ofmaize hybrids. The development of maize hybrids requires, in general,the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines,and the evaluation of the crosses. Breeding programs combine the geneticbackgrounds from two or more inbred lines or various other broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which new inbred lines are developed byselfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossedwith other inbred lines and the hybrids from these crosses are evaluatedto determine which of those have commercial potential.

There are many important factors to be considered in the art of plantbreeding, such as the ability to recognize important morphological andphysiological characteristics, the ability to design evaluationtechniques for genotypic and phenotypic traits of interest, and theability to search out and exploit the genes for the desired traits innew or improved combinations.

The objective of commercial maize hybrid line development programs is todevelop new inbred lines to produce hybrids that combine to produce highgrain yields and superior agronomic performance. The primary traitbreeders seek is yield. However, many other major agronomic traits areof importance in hybrid combination and have an impact on yield orotherwise provide superior performance in hybrid combinations. Suchtraits include percent grain moisture at harvest, relative maturity,resistance to stalk breakage, resistance to root lodging, grain quality,and disease and insect resistance. In addition, the lines per se musthave acceptable performance for parental traits such as seed yields,kernel sizes, pollen production, all of which affect ability to provideparental lines in sufficient quantity and quality for hybridization.These traits have been shown to be under genetic control and many if notall of the traits are affected by multiple genes.

Pedigree Breeding

The pedigree method of breeding is the mostly widely used methodologyfor new hybrid line development.

In general terms this procedure consists of crossing two inbred lines toproduce the non-segregating F₁ generation, and self pollination of theF₁ generation to produce the F₂ generation that segregates for allfactors for which the inbred parents differ. An example of this processis set forth below. Variations of this generalized pedigree method areused, but all these variations produce a segregating generation whichcontains a range of variation for the traits of interest.

EXAMPLE 1 Hypothetical Example of Pedigree Breeding Program

Consider a cross between two inbred lines that differ for alleles at sixloci. The parental genotypes are:

    Parent1 AbCdeF/AbCdeF

    Parent2 aBcDEf/aBcDEf

the F₁ from a cross between these two parents is:

    F.sub.1 AbCdeF/aBcDEf

Selfing F₁ will produce an F₂ generation including the followinggenotypes: ##EQU1##

The number of genotypes in the F₂ is 3⁶ for six segregating loci (729)and will produce (2⁶)-2 possible new inbreds, (62 for six segregatingloci).

Each inbred parent which is used in breeding crosses represents a uniquecombination of genes, and the combined effects of the genes define theperformance of the inbred and its performance in hybrid combination.There is published evidence (Smith, O. S., J. S. C. Smith, S. L. Bowen,R. A. Tenborg and S. J. Wall, TAG 80:833-840 (1990)) that each of thelines are different and can be uniquely identified on the basis ofgenetically-controlled molecular markers.

It has been shown (Hallauer, Arnel R. and Miranda, J. B. Fo.Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding, Iowa State University Press,Ames Iowa, 1981) that most traits of economic value in maize are underthe genetic control of multiple genetic loci, and that there are a largenumber of unique combinations of these genes present in elite maizegermplasm. If not, genetic progress using elite inbred lines would nolonger be possible. Studies by Duvick and Russell (Duvick, D. N.,Maydica 37:69-79, (1992); Russell, W. A., Maydica XXIX:375-390 (1983))have shown that over the last 50 years the rate of genetic progress incommercial hybrids has been between one and two percent per year.

The number of genes affecting the trait of primary economic importancein maize, grain yield, has been estimated to be in the range of 10-1000.Inbred lines which are used as parents for breeding crosses differ inthe number and combination of these genes. These factors make the plantbreeder's task more difficult. Compounding this is evidence that no oneline contains the favorable allele at all loci, and that differentalleles have different economic values depending on the geneticbackground and field environment in which the hybrid is grown. Fiftyyears of breeding experience suggests that there are many genesaffecting grain yield and each of these has a relatively small effect onthis trait. The effects are small compared to breeders' ability tomeasure grain yield differences in evaluation trials. Therefore, theparents of the breeding cross must differ at several of these loci sothat the genetic differences in the progeny will be large enough thatbreeders can develop a line that increases the economic worth of itshybrids over that of hybrids made with either parent.

If the number of loci segregating in a cross between two inbred lines isn, the number of unique genotypes in the F₂ generation is 3^(n) and thenumber of unique inbred lines from this cross is {(2^(n))-2}. Only avery limited number of these combinations are useful. Only about 1 in10,000 of the progeny from F₂ 's are commercially useful.

By way of example, if it is assumed that the number of segregating lociin F₂ is somewhere between 20 and 50, and that each parent is fixed forhalf the favorable alleles, it is then possible to calculate theapproximate probabilities of finding an inbred that has the favorableallele at {(n/2)+m} loci, where n/2 is the number of favorable allelesin each of the parents and m is the number of additional favorablealleles in the new inbred. See Example 2 below. The number m is assumedto be greater than three because each allele has so small an effect thatevaluation techniques are not sensitive enough to detect differences dueto three or less favorable alleles. The probabilities in Example 2 areon the order of 10³¹ 5 or smaller and they are the probabilities that atleast one genotype with (n/2)=m favorable alleles will exist.

To put this in perspective, the number of plants grown on 60 millionacres (approximate United States corn acreage) at 25,000 plants/acre is1.5×10¹².

EXAMPLE 2 Probability of Finding an Inbred with m of n Favorable Alleles

Assume each parent has n/2 of the favorable alleles and only 1/2 of thecombinations of loci are economically useful.

    ______________________________________                                        No. of  No. of favorable                                                                          No. additional                                            segregating                                                                           alleles in Parents                                                                        favorable alleles in                                                                       Probability that                             loci (n)                                                                              (n/2)       new inbred   genotype occurs*                             ______________________________________                                        20      10          14           3 × 10.sup.-5                          24      12          16           2 × 10.sup.-5                          28      14          18           1 × 10.sup.-5                          32      16          20           8 × 10.sup.-6                          36      18          22           5 × 10.sup.-6                          40      20          24           3 × 10.sup.-6                          44      22          26           2 × 10.sup.-6                          48      24          28           1 × 10.sup.-6                          ______________________________________                                         *Probability that a useful combination exists, does not include the           probability of identifying this combination if it does exist.            

The possibility of having a usably high probability of being able toidentify this genotype based on replicated field testing would be mostlikely smaller than this, and is a function of how large a population ofgenotypes is tested and how testing resources are allocated in thetesting program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a hybrid maize plant,designated as 33R87, produced by crossing two Pioneer Hi-BredInternational, Inc. proprietary inbred maize lines. This invention thusrelates to the hybrid seed 33R87, the hybrid plant produced from theseed, and variants, mutants and trivial modifications of hybrid 33R87.This hybrid maize plant is characterized by excellent yield for maturityand good stalks with excellent brittle snap resistance. 33R87 has hightest weight with excellent grain quality. 33R87 has very good resistanceto Corn Lethal Necrosis and to and Head Smut.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples that follow, a number of terms are usedherein. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided. NOTE: ABS is in absolute termsand %MN is percent of the mean for the experiments in which the inbredor hybrid was grown. These designators will follow the descriptors todenote how the values are to be interpreted. Below are the descriptorsused in the data tables included herein.

ANT ROT=ANTHRACNOSE STALK ROT (Colletotrichum graminicola). A 1 to 9visual rating indicating the resistance to Anthracnose Stalk Rot. Ahigher score indicates a higher resistance.

BAR PLT=BARREN PLANTS. The percent of plants per plot that were notbarren (lack ears).

BRT STK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the stalk breakage near thetime of pollination, and is an indication of whether a hybrid or inbredwould snap or break near the time of flowering under severe winds. Dataare presented as percentage of plants that did not snap in pairedcomparisons and on a 1 to 9 scale (9=highest resistance) inCharacteristics Charts.

BU ACR=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Yield of the grain at harvest in bushelsper acre adjusted to 15.5% moisture.

CLN=CORN LETHAL NECROSIS (synergistic interaction of maize chloroticmottle virus (MCMV) in combination with either maize dwarf mosaic virus(MDMV-A or MDMV-B) or wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV)). A 1 to 9 visualrating indicating the resistance to Corn Lethal Necrosis. A higher scoreindicates a higher resistance.

COM RST=COMMON RUST (Puccinia sorghi). A1 to 9 visual rating indicatingthe resistance to Common Rust. A higher score indicates a higherresistance.

CRM=COMPARATIVE RELATIVE MATURITY (see PRM).

D/D=DRYDOWN. This represents the relative rate at which a hybrid willreach acceptable harvest moisture compared to other hybrids on a 1-9rating scale. A high score indicates a hybrid that dries relatively fastwhile a low score indicates a hybrid that dries slowly.

D/E=DROPPED EARS. Represented in a 1 to 9 scale in the CharacteristicsChart, where 9 is the rating representing the least, or no, droppedears.

DIP ERS=DIPLODIA EAR MOLD SCORES (Diplodia maydis and Diplodiamacrospora). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toDiplodia Ear Mold. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

DRP EAR=DROPPED EARS. A measure of the number of dropped ears per plotand represents the percentage of plants that did not drop ears prior toharvest.

D/T=DROUGHT TOLERANCE. This represents a 1-9 rating for droughttolerance, and is based on data obtained under stress conditions. A highscore indicates good drought tolerance and a low score indicates poordrought tolerance.

EAR HT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to thehighest placed developed ear node attachment and is measured in inches.This is represented in a 1 to 9 scale in the Characteristics Chart,where 9 is highest.

EAR MLD=General Ear Mold. Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is verysusceptible and a "9" is very resistant. This is based on overall ratingfor ear mold of mature ears without determining the specific moldorganism, and may not be predictive for a specific ear mold.

EAR SZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The higher therating the larger the ear size.

ECB 1LF=EUROPEAN CORN BORER FIRST GENERATION LEAF FEEDING (Ostrinianubilalis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance topreflowering leaf feeding by first generation European Corn Borer. Ahigher score indicates a higher resistance. ECB 2IT=EUROPEAN CORN BORERSECOND GENERATION INCHES OF TUNNELING (Ostrinia nubilalis). Averageinches of tunneling per plant in the stalk.

ECB 2SC=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION (Ostrinia nubilalis). A 1to 9 visual rating indicating post flowering degree of stalk breakageand other evidence of feeding by European Corn Borer, Second Generation.A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

ECB DPE=EUROPEAN CORN BORER DROPPED EARS (Ostrinia nubilalis). Droppedears due to European Corn Borer. Percentage of plants that did not dropears under second generation corn borer infestation.

E/G=EARLY GROWTH. This represents a 1 to 9 rating for early growth,scored when two leaf collars are visible. A higher rating indicates ataller plant than does a lower rating.

EST CNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand establishmentin the spring and represents the number of plants that emerge on perplot basis for the inbred or hybrid.

EYE SPT=Eye Spot (Kabatiella zeae or Aureobasidium zeae). A 1 to 9visual rating indicating the resistance to Eye Spot. A higher scoreindicates a higher resistance.

FUS ERS=FUSARIUM EAR ROT SCORE (Fusarium moniliforme or Fusariumsubglutinans). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toFusarium ear rot. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

G/A=GRAIN APPEARANCE. Appearance of grain in the grain tank (scored downfor mold, cracks, red streak, etc.).

GDU=Growing Degree Units. Using the Barger Heat Unit Theory, thatassumes that maize growth occurs in the temperature range 50° F.-86° F.and that temperatures outside this range slow down growth; the maximumdaily heat unit accumulation is 36 and the minimum daily heat unitaccumulation is 0. The seasonal accumulation of GDU is a major factor indetermining maturity zones.

GDU PHY=GDU TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY. The number of growing degreeunits required for an inbred or hybrid line to have approximately 50percent of plants at physiological maturity from time of planting.Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger method.

GDU SHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or heatunits required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50percent of the plants shedding pollen and is measured from the time ofplanting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method,where the heat units for a 24-hour period are: ##EQU2##

The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the lowest minimumtemperature used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it takes a certainnumber of GDUs to reach various stages of plant development.

GDU SLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required for aninbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plantswith silk emergence from time of planting. Growing degree units arecalculated by the Barger Method as given in GDU SHD definition.

GIB ERS=GIBBERELLA EAR ROT (PINK MOLD) (Gibberella zeae). A 1 to 9visual rating indicating the resistance to Gibberella Ear Rot. A higherscore indicates a higher resistance.

GLF SPT=Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Gray Leaf Spot. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

GOS WLT=Goss' Wilt (Corynebacterium nebraskense). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Goss' Wilt. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

GRN APP=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the generalappearance of the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such factorsas the color of harvested grain, any mold on the grain, and any crackedgrain. High scores indicate good grain quality.

H/POP=YIELD AT HIGH DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively high plantdensities on 1-9 relative rating system with a higher number indicatingthe hybrid responds well to high plant densities for yield relative toother hybrids. A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, andvery good yield response, respectively, to increased plant density.

HC BLT=HELMINTHOSPORIUM CARBONUM LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporiumcarbonum). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toHelminthosporium infection. A higher score indicates a higherresistance.

HD SMT=HEAD SMUT (Sphacelotheca reiliana). This score indicates thepercentage of plants not infected.

INC D/A=GROSS INCOME (DOLLARS PER ACRE). Relative income per acreassuming drying costs of two cents per point above 15.5 percent harvestmoisture and current market price per bushel.

INCOME/ACRE. Income advantage of hybrid to be patented over other hybridon per acre basis.

INC ADV=GROSS INCOME ADVANTAGE. GROSS INCOME advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

L/POP=YIELD AT LOW DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively low plantdensities on a 1-9 relative system with a higher number indicating thehybrid responds well to low plant densities for yield relative to otherhybrids. A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, and very goodyield response, respectively, to low plant density.

MDM CPX=MAIZE DWARF MOSAIC COMPLEX (MDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus andMCDV=Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating theresistance to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

MST=HARVEST MOISTURE. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture ofthe grain at harvest.

MST ADV=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE. The moisture advantage of variety #1 overvariety #2 as calculated by: MOISTURE of variety #2-MOISTURE of variety#1=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE of variety #1.

NLF BLT=Northern Leaf Blight (Helminthosporium turcicum or Exserohilumturcicum). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to NorthernLeaf Blight. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

PHY CRM=CRM at physiological maturity.

PLT HT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant fromthe ground to the tip of the tassel in inches. This is represented as a1 to 9 scale, 9 highest, in the Characteristics Chart.

POL SC=POLLEN SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount ofpollen shed. The higher the score the more pollen shed.

POL WT=POLLEN WEIGHT. This is calculated by dry weight of tasselscollected as shedding commences minus dry weight from similar tasselsharvested after shedding is complete.

It should be understood that the inbred can, through routinemanipulation of cytoplasmic or other factors, be produced in amale-sterile form. Such embodiments are also contemplated within thescope of the present claims.

POP K/A=PLANT POPULATIONS. Measured as 1000s per acre.

POP ADV=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE. The plant population advantage ofvariety #1 over variety #2 as calculated by PLANT POPULATION of variety#2-PLANT POPULATION of variety #1=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE of variety#1.

PRM=PREDICTED Relative Maturity. This trait, predicted relativematurity, is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The relativematurity rating is based on a known set of checks and utilizes standardlinear regression analyses and is referred to as the ComparativeRelative Maturity Rating System that is similar to the MinnesotaRelative Maturity Rating System.

PRM SHD=A relative measure of the growing degree units (GDU) required toreach 50% pollen shed. Relative values are predicted values from thelinear regression of observed GDU's on relative maturity of commercialchecks.

PRO=PROTEIN RATING . Rating on a 1 to 9 scale comparing relative amountof protein in the grain compared to hybrids of similar maturity. A "1"score difference represents a 0.4 point change in grain protein percent(e.g., 8.0% to 8.4%).

P/Y=PROTEIN/YIELD RATING. Indicates, on a 1 to 9 scale, the economicvalue of a hybrid for swine and poultry feeders. This takes into accountthe income due to yield, moisture and protein content.

ROOTS (%)=Percent of stalks NOT root lodged at harvest.

R/L=ROOT LODGING. A 1 to 9 rating indicating the level of root lodgingresistance. The higher score represents higher levels of resistance.

RT LDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants that donot root lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis as anapproximately 30° angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.

RTL ADV=ROOT LODGING ADVANTAGE. The root lodging advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

S/L=STALK LODGING. A 1 to 9 rating indicating the level of stalk lodgingresistance. The higher scores represent higher levels of resistance.

SCT GRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount ofscatter grain (lack of pollination or kernel abortion) on the ear. Thehigher the score the less scatter grain.

SDG VGR=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the amountof vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling stage(approximately five leaves). A higher score indicates better vigor.

SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index gives a single measure ofthe hybrid's worth based on information for up to five traits. A maizebreeder may utilize his or her own set of traits for the selectionindex. One of the traits that is almost always included is yield. Theselection index data presented in the tables represent the mean valueaveraged across testing stations.

SLF BLT=SOUTHERN LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium maydis or Bipolarismaydis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to SouthernLeaf Blight. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

SLK CRM=CRM at Silking.

SOU RST=SOUTHERN RUST (Puccinia polysora). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Southern Rust. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

STA GRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health near thetime of black layer formation (physiological maturity). A high scoreindicates better late-season plant health.

STAND (%)=Percent of stalks standing at harvest.

STD ADV=STALK STANDING ADVANTAGE. The advantage of variety #1 overvariety #2 for the trait STK CNT.

STK CNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final stand or number of plantsper plot.

STK LDG=STALK LODGING. This is the percentage of plants that did notstalk lodge (stalk breakage) as measured by either natural lodging orpushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plants that breakbelow the ear.

STW WLT=Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Stewart's Wilt. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

TAS BLS=TASSEL BLAST. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to measure thedegree of blasting (necrosis due to heat stress) of the tassel at thetime of flowering. A 1 would indicate a very high level of blasting attime of flowering, while a 9 would have no tassel blasting.

TAS SZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative size of the tassel. The higher the rating the larger thetassel.

TAS WT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight of a tassel (grams)just prior to pollen shed.

TEX EAR=EAR TEXTURE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative hardness (smoothness of crown) of mature grain. A 1 would bevery soft (extreme dent) while a 9 would be very hard (flinty or verysmooth crown).

TIL LER=TILLERS. A count of the number of tillers per plot that couldpossibly shed pollen was taken. Data is given as a percentage oftillers: number of tillers per plot divided by number of plants perplot.

TST WT (CHARACTERISTICS CHART)=Test weight on a 1 to 9 rating scale witha 9 being the highest rating.

TST WT=TEST WEIGHT (UNADJUSTED). The measure of the weight of the grainin pounds for a given volume (bushel).

TST WTA=TEST WEIGHT ADJUSTED. The measure of the weight of the grain inpounds for a given volume (bushel) adjusted for 15.5 percent moisture.

TSW ADV=TEST WEIGHT ADVANTAGE. The test weight advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

WIN M%=PERCENT MOISTURE WINS.

WIN Y%=PERCENT YIELD WINS.

YLD=YIELD. It is the same as BU ACR ABS.

YLD ADV=YIELD ADVANTAGE. The yield advantage of variety #1 over variety#2 as calculated by: YIELD of variety #1-YIELD variety #2=yieldadvantage of variety #1.

YLD SC=YIELD SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to give a relativerating for yield based on plot ear piles. The higher the rating thegreater visual yield appearance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Pioneer Brand Hybrid 33R87 combines a unique combination of very highyields of food quality grain also with good resistance to head smut andCorn Lethal Necrosis and is widely adapted. Production is very efficientand economical on a high yielding female. Hybrid 33R87 provides goodtest weight and is high yielding for its maturity. The hybriddemonstrates excellent brittle snap resistance.

Pioneer Brand Hybrid 33R87 is a single cross, yellow endosperm, dentmaize hybrid with excellent food quality grain and very high yield.33R87 is widely adapted and is particularly suited to the Western UnitedStates and the United States Central Corn Belt.

This hybrid has the following characteristics based on the datacollected primarily at Johnston, Iowa.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________    VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION                                               VARIETY = 33R87                                                               __________________________________________________________________________      TYPE: (describe intermediate types in Comments section):                      2  1 = Sweet 2 = Dent 3 = Flint 4 = Flour 5 = Pop 6 = Ornamental              MATURITY:                                                                   DAYS  HEAT UNITS                                                              074   1,315.0                                                                              From emergence to 50% of plants in silk                          075   1,336.5                                                                              From emergence to 50% of plants in pollen                        005   0,101.5                                                                              From 10% to 90% pollen shed                                      067   1,144.5                                                                              From 50% silk to harvest at 25% moisture                         __________________________________________________________________________      PLANT:                         Standard                                                                           Sample                                                                   Deviation                                                                          Size                                    __________________________________________________________________________    0,278.5                                                                             cm Plant Height (to tassel tip)                                                                          23.33                                                                              2                                       0,108.0                                                                             cm Ear Height (to base of top ear node)                                                                  2.83 2                                       0,018.8                                                                             cm Length of Top Ear Internode                                                                           0.00 10                                      2     Average Number of Tillers  0.71 2                                       1.0   Average Number of Ears per Stalk                                                                         0.00 2                                       2.0   Anthocyanin of Brace Roots: 1 = Absent 2 = Faint 3 = Moderate 4 =             Dark                                                                    __________________________________________________________________________      LEAF:                          Standard                                                                           Sample                                                                   Deviation                                                                          Size                                    __________________________________________________________________________    010.6 cm Width of Ear Node Leaf  0.28 10                                      089.0 cm Length of Ear Node Leaf 1.98 10                                      05.6  Number of leaves above top ear                                                                           0.28 10                                      045.0 Degrees Leaf Angle (measure from 2nd leaf above                                                          0.00 2                                             ear at anthesis to stalk above leaf)                                    03    Leaf Color  Dark Green  (Munsell code)  5GY44                           1.5   Leaf Sheath Pubescence (Rate on scale from 1 = none to 9 = like               peach fuzz)                                                             7.0   Marginal Waves (Rate on scale from 1 = none to 9 = many)                6.0   Longitudinal Creases (Rate on scale from l = none to 9                  __________________________________________________________________________          = many)                                                                   TASSEL:                        Standard                                                                           Sample                                                                   Deviation                                                                          Size                                    __________________________________________________________________________    05.4  Number of Primary Lateral Branches                                                                       1.70 10                                      041.5 Branch Angle from Central Spike                                                                          4.95 2                                       66.4  cm Tassel Length (from top leaf collar to tassel tip)                                                    5.94 2                                       7.0   Pollen Shed (rate on scale from 0 = male sterile to 9 = heavy                 shed)                                                                   11    Anther Color  Pink  (Munsell code)  5R66                                01    Glume Color  Light Green  (Munsell code)  5GY66                         1.0   Bar Glumes (Glume Bands): 1 = Absent 2 = Present                        29    Peduncle Length (cm. from top leaf to basal branches)                   6a.                                                                             EAR (Unhusked Data):                                                        11    Silk Color (3 days after emergence)  Pink  (Munsell code)  5R34         1     Fresh Husk Color (25 days after 50% silking)  Light Green  (Munsell           code)  5GY78                                                            21    Dry Husk Color (65 days after 50% silking)  Buff  (Munsell code)              2.5Y84                                                                        Position of Ear at Dry Husk Stage: 1 = Upright 2 = Horizontal 3 =             Pendant                                                                 5     Husk Tightness (Rate of Scale from 1 = very loose to 9 = very                 tight)                                                                  2     Husk Extension (at harvest): 1 = Short (ears exposed) 2 = Medium              (<8 cm)                                                                       3 = Long (8-10 cm beyond ear tip) 4 = Very Long (>10 cm)                __________________________________________________________________________          Medium                                                                  6b.                                                                             EAR (Husked Ear Data):         Standard                                                                           Sample                                                                   Deviation                                                                          Size                                    __________________________________________________________________________    19    cm Ear Length              0.00 10                                      47    mm Ear Diameter at mid-point                                                                             0.00 10                                      202   gm Ear Weight              12.73                                                                              10                                      18    Number of Kernel Rows      0.71 10                                      2     Kernel Rows: 1 = Indistinct 2 = Distinct                                                                          Distinct                            1     Row Alignment: 1 = Straight 2 = Slightly Curved 3                                                                 Straight                            11    cm Shank Length            1.41 10                                      2     Ear Taper: 1 = Slight 2 = Average 3 = Extreme                                                                     Average                             __________________________________________________________________________      KERNEL (Dried):                Standard                                                                           Sample                                                                   Deviation                                                                          Size                                    __________________________________________________________________________    13    mm Kernel Length           0.71 10                                      6     mm Kernel Width            0.00 10                                      5     mm Kernel Thickness        0.71 10                                      15    % Round Kernels (Shape Grade)                                                                            0.71 2                                       1     Aleurone Color Pattern: 1 = Homozygous 2 = Segregating                                                            Homozygous                          7     Aluerone Color  Yellow  (Munsell code)  10YR712                         7     Hard Endosperm Color  Yellow  (Munsell code)  10YR714                   3     Endosperm Type:  Normal Starch                                                1 = Sweet (Su1) 2 = Extra Sweet (sh2) 3 = Normal Starch                       4 = High Amylose Starch 5 = Waxy Starch 6 = High Protein                      7 = High Lysine 8 = Super Sweet (se) 9 = High Oil                             10 = Other                                                              33    gm Weight per 100 Kernels (unsized sample)                                                               0.71 2                                       __________________________________________________________________________      COB:                           Standard                                                                           Sample                                                                   Deviation                                                                          Size                                    __________________________________________________________________________    26    mm Cob Diameter at mid-point                                                                             0.00 10                                      14    Cob Color  Red  (Munsell code)  10R38                                         Cob Strength 1 = Weak 2 = Strong                                          DISEASE RESISTANCE (Rate from 1 (most susceptible) to 9 (most                 resistant); leave blank                                                       if not tested; leave Race or Strain Options blank if polygenic):            A.    Leaf Blights, Wilts, and Local Infection Diseases                               Anthracnose Leaf Blight (Colletotrichum graminicola)                  6       Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi)                                                 Common Smut (Ustilago                                                         maydis) Eyespot (Kabatiella zeae)                                     8       Goss's Wilt (Clavibacter michiganense spp. nebraskense)               4       Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis)                                       Helminthosporium Leaf Spot (Bipolaris zeicola) Race                   4       Northern Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum) Race                      7       Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis) Race                          2       Southern Rust (Puccinia polysora)                                     5       Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii)                                            Other (Specify)                                                       B.    Systemic Diseases                                                       5       Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV and MDMV)                                          Head Smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana)                                            Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus (MDV)                                             Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV)                                   3       Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus (MDMV)                                               Sorghum Downy Mildew of Corn (Peronosclerospora sorghi)                       Other (Specify)                                                       C.    Stalk Rots                                                              4       Anthracnose Stalk Rot (Colletotrichum graminicola)                            Diplodia Stalk Rot (Stenocarpella maydis)                                     Fusarium Stalk Rot (Fusarium moniliforme)                                     Gibberella Stalk Rot (Gibberella zeae)                                        Other (Specify)                                                       D.    Ear and Kernel Rots                                                             Aspergillus Ear and Kernel Rot (Aspergillus flavus)                   4       Diplodia Ear Rot (Stenocarpella maydis)                               6       Fusarium Ear and Kernel Rot (Fusarium moniliforme)                            Gibberella Ear Rot (Gibberella zeae)                                          Other (Specify)                                                               Banks grass Mite (Oligonychus pratensis)                                      Corn Worm (Helicoverpa zea)                                                   Leaf Feeding                                                                  Silk Feeding                                                                  mg larval wt.                                                                 Ear Damage                                                                    Corn Leaf Aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis)                                        Corn Sap Beetle (Carpophilus dimidiatus                                       European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)                              4       1st Generation (Typically Whorl Leaf Feeding)                         5       2nd Generation (Typically Leaf Sheath-Collar Feeding)                         Stalk Tunneling                                                               cm tunneled/plant                                                             Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera fruqiperda)                                         Leaf Feeding                                                                  Silk Feeding                                                                  mg larval wt.                                                                 Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamaize                                             Northern Rootworm (Diabrotica barberi)                                        Southern Rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata)                                Southwestern Corn Borer (Diatreaea grandiosella)                              Leaf Feeding                                                                  Stalk Tunneling                                                               cm tunneled/plant                                                             Two-spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae)                                 Western Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifrea virgifera)                             Other (Specify)                                                         AGRONOMIC TRAITS:                                                           5     Staygreen (at 65 days after anthesis) (Rate on a scale from 1 =               worst to                                                                      excellent)                                                              1.0   % Dropped Ears (at 65 days after anthesis)                                    % Pre-anthesis Brittle Snapping                                               % Pre-anthesis Root Lodging                                             8.5   Post-anthesis Root Lodging (at 65 days after anthesis)                  10,420                                                                              Kg/ha Yield (at 12-13% grain moisture)                                  __________________________________________________________________________

Research Comparisons for Pioneer Hybrid 33R87

Comparisons of characteristics of Pioneer Brand Hybrid 33R87 were madeagainst Pioneer Brand Hybrids 3341, 3357, 3375, and 3394 all of whichare similar in adaptation to hybrid 33R87.

Table 2A compares Pioneer Hybrid 33R87 and Pioneer Hybrid 3341. Theresults show that 33R87 is somewhat higher yielding than hybrid 3341.The 33R87 hybrid demonstrates a higher resistance to Brittle snap and issignificantly taller with higher ear placement than hybrid 3341. The33R87 hybrid demonstrates significantly superior resistance to Gray LeafSpot and significantly higher resistance to European Corn Borer SecondGeneration than hybrid 3341.

Table 2B compares Pioneer Hybrid 33R87 and Pioneer Hybrid 3357. Theresults show that the 33R87 hybrid demonstrates a somewhat higher yieldwith a significantly higher test weight than hybrid 3357. Hybrid 33R87also exhibits a significantly taller plant stature with higher earplacement than the 3357 hybrid. The 33R87 hybrid is later to mature withsignificantly more growing degree units to shed than hybrid 3357. Bothhybrids demonstrate very good stay green and above average resistance tostalk lodge.

Table 2C compares Pioneer Hybrid 33R87 with Pioneer Hybrid 3375. Theresults show that hybrid 33R87 is significantly higher yielding with asignificantly higher test weight than hybrid 3375. Hybrid 33R87 alsodemonstrates significantly higher resistance to drop ear, Gray LeafSpot, Northern Leaf Blight and Southern Leaf Blight than hybrid 3375.Both hybrids exhibit above average grain appearance and brittle snapresistance.

Table 2D compares Pioneer Hybrid 33R87 and Pioneer hybrid 3394. Theresults show than hybrid 33R87 is significantly higher yielding with asignificantly higher test weight than hybrid 3394. Hybrid 33R87demonstrates significantly higher resistance to brittle snap and ahigher grain appearance score than hybrid 3489. Hybrid 33R87 alsodemonstrates significantly superior resistance to Gray Leaf Spot,Northern Leaf Blight, Stewart's Wilt and Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex thanhybrid 3394. Hybrid 33R87 is significantly taller than hybrid 3394.

Table 2E compares Pioneer Hybrid 33R87 and Pioneer hybrid 3489. Theresults show than hybrid 33R87 is somewhat higher yielding with asignificantly higher test weight than hybrid 3489. Hybrid 33R87demonstrates a significantly superior stay green score and higherresistance to brittle snap than hybrid 3489. Hybrid 33R87 alsodemonstrates significantly superior resistance to Gray Leaf Spot, and ahigher grain appearance score than hybrid 3394.

                                      TABLE 2A                                    __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID COMPARISON REPORT                                                      VARIETY #1 = 33R87                                                            VARIETY #2 = 3341                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                   PRM BU  BU      TST SDG EST GDU                                           PRM SHD ACR ACR MST WT  VGR CNT SHD                                           ABS ABS ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   111 112 159.1                                                                             101 100 58.5                                                                              80  94  101                                       2   111 113 156.1                                                                             99  99  58.9                                                                              93  100 101                                       LOCS                                                                              19  31  117 117 122 79  77  78  44                                        REPS                                                                              19  31  135 135 152 88  87  89  54                                        DIFF                                                                              0   0   3.0 2   1   0.4 13  6   0                                         PR > T                                                                            .999                                                                              .999                                                                              .101                                                                              .056*                                                                             .108                                                                              .002#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .999                               __________________________________________________________________________               GDU STK PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN                                           SLK CNT HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP                                           % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   102 97  101 100 99  94  99  111 107                                       2   102 101 99  97  104 93  102 100 112                                       LOCS                                                                              30  152 67  66  29  53  81  18  13                                        REPS                                                                              32  220 72  70  39  56  99  25  13                                        DIFF                                                                              1   4   2   4   5   1   3   11  5                                         PR > T                                                                            .150                                                                              .000#                                                                             .002#                                                                             .001#                                                                             .111                                                                              .840                                                                              .012+                                                                             .054*                                                                             .510                               __________________________________________________________________________               DRP GLF NLF SLF GOS STW ANT HD                                                EAR SPT BLT BLT WLT WLT ROT SMT CLN                                           % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   100 4.0 3.9 7.0 7.8 4.5 4.2 100.0                                                                             5.5                                       2   100 3.3 3.9 6.1 8.0 6.5 3.1 98.9                                                                              7.5                                       LOCS                                                                              30  20  11  5   3   2   5   3   1                                         REPS                                                                              32  31  21  10  6   2   10  8   2                                         DIFF                                                                              0   0.8 0.0 0.9 0.2 2.0 1.1 1.1 2.0                                       PR > T                                                                            .999                                                                              .001#                                                                             .999                                                                              .105                                                                              .423                                                                              .295                                                                              .141                                                                              .423                                   __________________________________________________________________________               MDM FUS DIP COM SOU ECB ECB                                                   CPX ERS ERS RST RST DPE 2SC                                                   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                        __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   2.9 6.8 4.0 5.5 2.7 100.0                                                                             5.0                                               2   2.9 6.2 3.5 5.0 2.0 100.0                                                                             3.7                                               LOCS                                                                              4   3   1   1   3   1   7                                                 REPS                                                                              10  7   2   2   5   1   7                                                 DIFF                                                                              0.0 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.0 1.3                                               PR > T                                                                            .999                                                                              .311        .057*   .012+                                      __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 2B                                    __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID COMPARISON REPORT                                                      VARIETY #1 = 33R87                                                            VARIETY #2 = 3357                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                   PRM BU  BU      TST SDG EST GDU                                           PRM SHD ACR ACR MST WT  VGR CNT SHD                                           ABS ABS ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   111 110 187.8                                                                             104 103 55.9                                                                              83  95  103                                       2   110 110 177.8                                                                             100 101 54.4                                                                              86  108 102                                       LOCS                                                                              4   3   18  18  18  7   6   8   9                                         REPS                                                                              4   3   24  24  24  7   8   8   10                                        DIFF                                                                              1   1   10.0                                                                              4   2   1.5 3   12  1                                         PR > T                                                                            .246                                                                              .211                                                                              .144                                                                              .320                                                                              .306                                                                              .019+                                                                             .722                                                                              .024+                                                                             .042+                              __________________________________________________________________________               GDU STK PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN                                           SLK CNT HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP                                           % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   105 96  103 102 97  133 102 100 109                                       2   103 101 95  92  103 129 106 100 87                                        LOCS                                                                              5   23  9   7   6   7   14  1   1                                         REPS                                                                              6   34  11  9   9   11  18  2   1                                         DIFF                                                                              2   5   8   11  6   4   4   0   22                                        PR > T                                                                            .267                                                                              .041+                                                                             .007#                                                                             .022+                                                                             .312                                                                              .747                                                                              .100                                       __________________________________________________________________________               DRP FUS ECB                                                                   EAR ERS 2SC                                                                   % MN                                                                              ABS ABS                                                        __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   100 7.3 5.9                                                               2   100 6.3 6.8                                                               LOCS                                                                              7   1   4                                                                 REPS                                                                              7   3   8                                                                 DIFF                                                                              0   1.0 0.9                                                               PR > T                                                                            .999    .256                                                       __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 2C                                    __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID COMPARISON REPORT                                                      VARIETY #1 = 33R87                                                            VARIETY #2 = 3375                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                   PRM BU  BU      TST SDG EST GDU                                           PRM SHD ACR ACR MST WT  VGR CNT SHD                                           ABS ABS ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   111 112 157.5                                                                             103 98  58.1                                                                              77  94  102                                       2   111 110 153.4                                                                             100 99  56.0                                                                              114 98  99                                        LOCS                                                                              34  41  152 152 159 94  79  107 62                                        REPS                                                                              34  41  163 163 181 106 91  123 73                                        DIFF                                                                              0   2   4.1 2   1   2.1 38  4   3                                         PR > T                                                                            .999                                                                              .000#                                                                             .013+                                                                             .032+                                                                             .252                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .002#                                                                             .000#                              __________________________________________________________________________               GDU STK PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN                                           SLK CNT HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP                                           % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   102 97  101 101 102 91  99  109 109                                       2   99  100 101 101 99  90  101 109 105                                       LOCS                                                                              31  227 81  72  40  48  112 25  9                                         REPS                                                                              32  301 87  77  47  53  126 41  9                                         DIFF                                                                              3   3   0   0   3   0   2   0   4                                         PR > T                                                                            .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .999                                                                              .999                                                                              .550                                                                              .999                                                                              .266                                                                              .999                                                                              .648                               __________________________________________________________________________               DRP GLF NLF SLF GOS STW ANT HD                                                EAR SPT BLT BLT WLT WLT ROT SMT CLN                                           % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   100 4.0 3.9 7.0 7.8 4.5 4.1 100.0                                                                             5.5                                       2   99  3.1 3.2 5.9 7.8 3.0 3.6 100.0                                                                             2.5                                       LOCS                                                                              53  21  9   5   3   2   5   3   1                                         REPS                                                                              55  32  18  10  5   2   9   8   2                                         DIFF                                                                              1   0.8 0.7 1.1 0.0 1.5 0.5 0.0 3.0                                       PR > T                                                                            .009#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .003#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .999                                                                              .205                                                                              .298                                                                              .999                                   __________________________________________________________________________               MDM FUS DIP COM SOU ECB ECB ECB                                               CPX ERS ERS RST RST DPE 1LF 2SC                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                    __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   2.9 6.8 4.0 5.5 2.7 100.0                                                                             4.0 4.8                                           2   2.9 5.5 5.0 6.0 3.3 96.1                                                                              1.0 4.0                                           LOCS                                                                              4   3   1   1   3   1   1   11                                            REPS                                                                              10  7   2   2   5   1   1   11                                            DIFF                                                                              0.1 1.3 1.0 0.5 0.7 3.9 3.0 0.8                                           PR > T                                                                            .718                                                                              .099*       .184        .082*                                  __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 2D                                    __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID COMPARISON REPORT                                                      VARIETY #1 = 33R87                                                            VARIETY #2 = 3394                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                   PRM BU  BU      TST SDG EST GDU                                           PRM SHD ACR ACR MST WT  VGR CNT SHD                                           ABS ABS ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   111 112 166.0                                                                             102 99  58.3                                                                              74  94  102                                       2   109 112 162.3                                                                             100 94  57.0                                                                              121 103 101                                       LOCS                                                                              53  51  227 227 235 131 122 142 77                                        REPS                                                                              53  51  251 251 271 145 140 159 88                                        DIFF                                                                              2   0   3.8 2   6   1.4 47  8   0                                         PR > T                                                                            .000#                                                                             .999                                                                              .010+                                                                             .044+                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .999                               __________________________________________________________________________               GDU STK PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN                                           SLK CNT HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP                                           % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   102 97  100 100 99  93  99  109 110                                       2   101 101 97  101 104 81  102 97  96                                        LOCS                                                                              43  318 136 127 59  102 151 28  16                                        REPS                                                                              46  389 149 139 71  114 174 38  16                                        DIFF                                                                              1   4   3   2   6   12  2   12  14                                        PR > T                                                                            .027+                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .102                                                                              .124                                                                              .007#                                                                             .059*                                                                             .043+                                                                             .051*                              __________________________________________________________________________               DRP GLF NLF STW MDM DIP SOU ECB ECB                                           EAR SPT BLT WLT CPX ERS RST DPE 1LF                                           % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   100 4.2 4.0 4.5 2.8 5.0 5.0 100.0                                                                             4.0                                       2   99  2.1 6.0 6.5 3.3 8.0 3.0 99.1                                                                              1.0                                       LOCS                                                                              62  15  2   2   2   1   1   2   1                                         REPS                                                                              66  15  4   2   4   1   1   2   1                                         DIFF                                                                              1   2.1 2.0 2.0 0.5 3.0 2.0 0.9 3.0                                       PR > T                                                                            .256                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#       .500                                   __________________________________________________________________________               ECB                                                                           2SC                                                                           ABS                                                                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   4.9                                                                       2   4.7                                                                       LOCS                                                                              15                                                                        REPS                                                                              19                                                                        DIFF                                                                              0.2                                                                       PR > T                                                                            .492                                                               __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 2E                                    __________________________________________________________________________    HYBRID COMPARISON REPORT                                                      VARIETY #1 = 33R87                                                            VARIETY #2 = 3489                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                   PRM BU  BU      TST SDG EST GDU                                           PRM SHD ACR ACR MST WT  VGR CNT SHD                                           ABS ABS ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   111 112 166.1                                                                             102 100 58.3                                                                              75  93  102                                       2   109 109 163.2                                                                             101 95  56.8                                                                              89  99  98                                        LOCS                                                                              43  41  184 184 190 109 100 119 68                                        REPS                                                                              43  41  201 201 218 120 113 133 75                                        DIFF                                                                              2   3   2.9 1   6   1.6 14  6   3                                         PR > T                                                                            .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .083*                                                                             .249                                                                              .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                              __________________________________________________________________________               GDU STK PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN                                           SLK CNT HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP                                           % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                               __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   102 97  100 101 99  97  100 107 106                                       2   100 100 100 88  108 68  99  93  97                                        LOCS                                                                              35  278 106 99  53  82  112 27  14                                        REPS                                                                              36  338 113 105 60  91  125 44  14                                        DIFF                                                                              3   4   0   13  9   29  1   13  9                                         PR > T                                                                            .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .999                                                                              .000#                                                                             .021+                                                                             .000#                                                                             .533                                                                              .060*                                                                             .124                               __________________________________________________________________________               DRP GLF NLF STW DIP SOU ECB ECB ECB                                           EAR SPT BLT WLT ERS RST DPE 1LF 2SC                                           #MN ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   100 4.1 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.0 100.0                                                                             4.0 5.1                                       2   100 3.3 3.5 4.5 8.0 5.0 96.1                                                                              2.0 5.1                                       LOCS                                                                              55  13  1   2   1   1   1   1   15                                        REPS                                                                              58  13  2   2   1   1   1   1   19                                        DIFF                                                                              0   0.8 0.5 0.0 3.0 0.0 3.9 2.0 0.0                                       PR > T                                                                            .999                                                                              .011+   .999                .999                               __________________________________________________________________________     * = 10% SIG                                                                   + = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

Strip Test Data for Hybrid 33R87

Comparison data was collected from strip tests that were grown byfarmers. Each hybrid was grown in strips of 4, 6, 8, 12, etc. rows infields depending on the size of the planter used. The data was collectedfrom strip tests that had the hybrids in the same area and weighed. Themoisture percentage was determined and bushels per acre was adjusted to15.5 percent moisture. The number of comparisons represent the number oflocations or replications for the two hybrids that were grown in thesame field in close proximity and compared.

Comparison strip testing was done between Pioneer Brand Hybrid 33R87 andPioneer Brand Hybrids 3341, 3489, 3394, 3375, and 3357. The comparisonscome from all the hybrid's adapted growing areas in the United States.

These results are presented in Table 3. As can be seen from the results,hybrid 33R87 has a yield advantage over all but one of the hybrids. Theaverage yield advantage is 3.9 bushels per acre and ranges from 9.2 to-0.2. Hybrid 33R87 demonstrated a greater income advantage to the farmerbased on adjusted growth income over all but one of the hybridscompared. The average income advantage was $9.67 per acre. 33R87 alsoexhibited a higher test weight than all of the hybrids compared. 33R87'syield and income advantage plus its advantage for other characteristicsover these hybrids will make it an important addition for most of theareas where these hybrids are grown.

                                      TABLE 3                                     __________________________________________________________________________    1996 PERFORMANCE COMPARISON REPORT FOR CORN                                   1 YEAR SUMMARY OF ALL STANDARD TEST TYPES                                                          Income/                                                                           Pop Stand                                                                            Roots                                                                            Test                                       Brand      Product                                                                           Yield                                                                            Moist                                                                            Acre                                                                              K/Acre                                                                            (%)                                                                              (%)                                                                              Wt                                         __________________________________________________________________________    PIONEER    33R87                                                                             197.4                                                                            17.4                                                                             582.93                                                                            27.0                                                                              98 98 59.8                                       PIONEER    3341                                                                              196.6                                                                            17.6                                                                             579.67                                                                            27.2                                                                              98 99 59.7                                       Advantage      0.8                                                                              0.2                                                                              3.26                                                                              -0.2                                                                              0  -1 0.1                                        Number of Comparisons                                                                        58 58 58  33  7  7  53                                         Percent Wins   62 62 63  36  28 14 37                                         Probability of Difference                                                                    37 90 45  42  66 69 33                                         PIONEER    33R87                                                                             178.5                                                                            21.2                                                                             515.50                                                                            26.2                                                                              87 96 58.1                                       PIONEER    3489                                                                              178.7                                                                            20.4                                                                             518.22                                                                            26.3                                                                              92 99 56.2                                       Advantage      -0.2                                                                             -0.8                                                                             -2.72                                                                             -0.1                                                                              -5 -3 1.9                                        Number of Comparisons                                                                        404                                                                              404                                                                              404 229 135                                                                              108                                                                              362                                        Percent Wins   48 25 46  41  23 4  88                                         Probability of Difference                                                                    16 99 75  43  99 99 99                                         PIONEER    33R87                                                                             173.6                                                                            20.9                                                                             502.07                                                                            25.7                                                                              88 97 58.2                                       PIONEER    3394                                                                              168.4                                                                            19.8                                                                             490.65                                                                            25.9                                                                              92 99 56.7                                       Advantage      5.2                                                                              -1.1                                                                             11.42                                                                             -0.2                                                                              -4 -2 1.5                                        Number of Comparisons                                                                        449                                                                              449                                                                              449 266 173                                                                              132                                                                              396                                        Percent Wins   65 16 63  35  30 3  85                                         Probability of Difference                                                                    99 99 99  63  99 99 99                                         PIONEER    33R87                                                                             188.9                                                                            20.4                                                                             548.49                                                                            26.2                                                                              84 98 58.5                                       PIONEER    3375                                                                              179.7                                                                            20.9                                                                             520.08                                                                            26.0                                                                              89 98 56.7                                       Advantage      9.2                                                                              0.5                                                                              28.41                                                                             0.2 -5 0  1.8                                        Number of Comparisons                                                                        178                                                                              178                                                                              178 115 60 46 173                                        Percent Wins   80 67 79  40  38 10 88                                         Probability of Difference                                                                    99 99 99  60  97 34 99                                         PIONEER    33R87                                                                             186.2                                                                            20.8                                                                             539.10                                                                            25.6                                                                              84 99 58.4                                       PIONEER    3357                                                                              178.2                                                                            21.3                                                                             513.78                                                                            25.6                                                                              92 99 57.2                                       Advantage      8.0                                                                              0.5                                                                              25.32                                                                             0.0                                                  8          0   1.2                                                            Number of Comparisons                                                                        80 80 80  52  29 23 75                                         Percent Wins   75 72 78  36  20 0  84                                         Probability of Difference                                                                    99 99 99  11  99 91 99                                         PIONEER    33R87                                                                             179.7                                                                            20.7                                                                             520.33                                                                            26.0                                                                              87 97 58.3                                       WEIGHTED AVG   175.8                                                                            20.2                                                                             510.66                                                                            26.1                                                                              91 99 56.7                                       Advantage      3.9                                                                              -0.5                                                                             9.67                                                                              -0.1                                                                              -4 -2 1.6                                        Number of Comparisons                                                                        1169                                                                             1169                                                                             1169                                                                              695 404                                                                              316                                                                              1059                                       Percent Wins   62 33 60  38  28 4  84                                         Probability of Difference                                                                    99 99 99  51  99 99 99                                         __________________________________________________________________________     NOTE:                                                                         The probability values are useful in analyzing if there is a "real"           difference in the genetic potential of the products involved. High values     are desirable, with 95% considered significant for real differences.     

Comparison of Key Characteristics for Hybrid 33R87

Characteristics of Pioneer Hybrid 33R87 are compared to Pioneer Hybrids3357, 3375, 3394, and 3489 in Table 4. The values given for most traitsare on a 1-9 basis. In these cases 9 10 would be outstanding, while 1would be poor for the given characteristics. Table 4 shows that hybrid33R87 demonstrates excellent yield and a higher test weight than all ofthe hybrids compared. Hybrid 33R87 exhibits excellent Head Smutresistance. Hybrid 33R87's excellent yield combined with its otherfavorable agronomic characteristics should make it an important hybridto its area of adaptation.

                                      TABLE 4                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Hybrid Patent Comparisons-Characteristics                                     Pioneer Hybrid 33R87 vs. Pioneer Hybrids 3357, 3375, 3394 and 3489                    SILK                                                                             PHY                                                                              GDU                                                                              GDU                                                          VARIETY                                                                            CRM                                                                              CRM                                                                              CRM                                                                              SILK                                                                             PHY                                                                              YLD                                                                              H/POP                                                                             L/POP                                                                             DID                                                                              SIL                                                                              R/L                                      __________________________________________________________________________    33R87                                                                              112                                                                              113                                                                              112                                                                              1410                                                                             2710                                                                             9  9   8   7  5  6                                        3357 112                                                                              111                                                                              108                                                                              1390                                                                             2610                                                                             8  9   8   8  7  7                                        3375 111                                                                              110                                                                              109                                                                              1370                                                                             2630                                                                             8  8   8   7  6  5                                        3394 110                                                                              111                                                                              110                                                                              1390                                                                             2660                                                                             8  8   8   8  7  7                                        3489 108                                                                              109                                                                              109                                                                              1360                                                                             2630                                                                             9  9   9   8  5  7                                        __________________________________________________________________________         STA   TST   PLT                                                                              EAR    BRT HSK                                                                              GLF                                                                              NLF                                      VARIETY                                                                            GRN                                                                              D/T                                                                              WT E/G                                                                              HT HT D/E STK CV SPT                                                                              BLT                                      __________________________________________________________________________    33R87                                                                              4  5  8  3  6  6  5   7   5  4  4                                        3357 8  8  7  4  4  3  5   7      2  4                                        3375 7  5  6  5  6  6  4   7      3  2                                        3394 7  7  6  8  5  6  4   4   4  2  5                                        3489 6  8  6  4  6  3  6   3   7  4  4                                        __________________________________________________________________________         SLF                                                                              GOS                                                                              STW                                                                              ANT                                                                              HD    MDM FUS ECB                                            VARIETY                                                                            BLT                                                                              WLT                                                                              WLT                                                                              ROT                                                                              SMT                                                                              CLN                                                                              CPX ER  2SC                                            __________________________________________________________________________    33R87                                                                              8  8  5  4  9  5  3   6   5                                              3357 5  8  6  4  8  7  3   7   4                                              3375 7  8  3  4  9  4  3   5   4                                              3394 5  8  7  4  8  7  3   4   5                                              3489 4  8  4  3  9  3      4   5                                              __________________________________________________________________________

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention includes hybrid maize seed of 33R87 and the hybrid maizeplant produced therefrom. The foregoing was set forth by way of exampleand is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the term plant includes plant cells, plant protoplasts,plant cell tissue cultures from which maize plants can be regenerated,plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants, orparts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers, kernels,ears, cobs, leaves, seeds, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers,silk and the like.

Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta, (1985) 165:322-332 reflectsthat 97% of the plants cultured which produced callus were capable ofplant regeneration. Subsequent experiments with both inbreds and hybridsproduced 91% regenerable callus which produced plants. In a furtherstudy in 1988, Songstad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports (1988),7:262-265 reports several media additions which enhance regenerabilityof callus of two inbred lines. Other published reports also indicatedthat "nontraditional" tissues are capable of producing somaticembryogenesis and plant regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., Maize GeneticsCooperation Newsletter, 60:64-65 (1986), refers to somatic embryogenesisfrom glume callus cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., Plant Cell Reports,6:345-347 (1987) indicates somatic embryogenesis from the tissuecultures of maize leaf segments. Thus, it is clear from the literaturethat the state of the art is such that these methods of obtaining plantsare, and were, "conventional" in the sense that they are routinely usedand have a very high rate of success.

Tissue culture of maize is described in European Patent Application,publication 160,390, incorporated herein by reference. Maize tissueculture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, "PlantRegeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize," Maize for Biological Research(Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at367-372) and in Duncan, et al., "The Production of Callus Capable ofPlant Regeneration from Immature Embryos of Numerous Zea MaysGeneotypes," 165 Planta 322-332 (1985). Thus, another aspect of thisinvention is to provide cells which upon growth and differentiationproduce maize plants having the genotype of 33R87.

Maize is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material inindustry. The food uses of maize, in addition to human consumption ofmaize kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries.

Maize, including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is alsoused extensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairycattle, hogs, and poultry.

Industrial uses of maize include production of ethanol, maize starch inthe wet-milling industry and maize flour in the dry-milling industry.The industrial applications of maize starch and flour are based onfunctional properties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesiveproperties, and ability to suspend particles. The maize starch and flourhave application in the paper and textile industries. Other industrialuses include applications in adhesives, building materials, foundrybinders, laundry starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other miningapplications.

Plant parts other than the grain of maize are also used in industry.Stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs are used forfuel and to make charcoal.

The seed of the hybrid maize plant and various parts of the hybrid maizeplant can be utilized for human food, livestock feed, and as a rawmaterial in industry.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

Applicant has made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of Hybrid Maize Line33R87 with the American Type Culture Collection CATCC), Manassas, Va.20110 USA, ATCC Deposit No. 209658 The seeds deposited with the ATCC onMar. 10, 1998 were taken from the deposit maintained by Pioneer Hi-BredInternational, Inc., 700 Capital Square, 400 Locust Street, Des Moines,Iowa 5030-92340 since0 prior to the filing date of this applicaton. Thisdeposit of the Hybrid Maize Line 33R87 will be maintained in the ATCCdepository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5years after the most recent request, or for the enforceable life of thepatent. whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomesnonviable during that period. Additionally, Applicant has satisfied allthe requirements of 37 C.F.R. §§1.801-1.809, including providing anindication of the viability of the sample. Applicant imposes norestrictions on the availability of the deposited material from theATCC; however, Applicant has no authority to waive any restrictionsimposed by law on the transfer of biological material or itstransportation in commerce. Applicant does not waive any infringement ofits rights granted under this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. Hybrid maize seed designated 33R87,representative seed of said hybrid 33R87 having been deposited underATCC accession number
 209658. 2. A maize plant, or its parts, producedby the seed of claim
 1. 3. Pollen of the plant of claim
 2. 4. An ovuleof the plant of claim
 2. 5. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of ahybrid maize plant 33R87, representative seed of said hybrid maize plant33R87 having been deposited under ATCC accession number 209658, whereinthe tissue regenerates plants capable of expressing all themorphological and physiological characteristics of said hybrid maizeplant 33R87.
 6. A tissue culture according to claim 5, the cells orprotoplasts being of a tissue selected from the group consisting ofleaves, pollen, embryos, roots, root tips, anthers, silks, flowers,kernels, ears, cobs, husks, and stalks.
 7. A maize plant, or its parts,regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 5 and capable of expressingall the morphological and physiological characteristics of hybrid maizeplant 33R87, representative seed having been deposited under ATCCaccession number 209658.